23 ITEMS NOT TO PUT ON YOUR CAMINO PACKING LIST.
Spotted on the Camino de Santiago
All the items in this list are things that we have spotted fellow pilgrims carrying on the Camino. We are of course not going to name and shame. We are not telling you about these items to embarrass anyone.
That said, we do think it’s important to highlight these items not to add to your Camino packing list. Simply, because we want as many people as possible to avoid making these mistakes.
Over packing is amusing, we all do it. But, it can be a serious matter if it leads to your bag being too heavy, which can cause injury or just dampen your experience a little.
Without further ado, here are the items to avoid adding to your Camino packing list in 2024.
23 items not to put on your Camino packing list
Here are 23 items not to put on your Camino packing list.
1/ Crockery
We have seen many pilgrims carrying their own crockery. I’m not talking the ceramic variety, but camping crockery seems to be increasingly popular. Particularly, a camping cup or mug.
I’m not sure exactly what is causing this trend. Perhaps it is a post-covid hang up.
But, I can say that having your own cup is totally unnecessary. I have never stayed at an albergue and been asked to supply my own receptacle. Normally, albergues will either provide breakfast, or have a kitchen (with their own cups!)
A water bottle is important – find out more about the best water bottles for the Camino here. But, cups and crockery – leave it at home!
2/ Cutlery
As with crockery, I’ve seen a number of people carrying their own cutlery. Once again, I have never been asked to produce my own knife and fork when I have sat down to eat in an albergue.
The one exception where cutlery may be handy, is if you are on a budget and wanting to eat something other than sandwiches for lunch. In that case, I can just about see the usefulness of carrying one fork and a tupperware.
But otherwise, keep the cutlery at home where it belongs.
3/ Roll mat/ ground mat
Wild camping is not allowed on the Camino. Yes, some people do it. But these people are rare.
If you are planning a normal Camino, staying in albergues and pensions along the way, you 100% do not need a roll mat or a ground mat.
At no point on your albergue journey will you be asked to sleep on the floor on your own roll mat. I have seen a few albergues in peak season that are full up – normally there is a way for the alebrgue to give you a spare mattress, or for you to book to stay somewhere else.
You’re not going to have to sleep on the street with a roll mat.
If you are worried about where to stay on the Camino – you can find out more about avoiding the race for beds here.
4/ Sleeping bag (in high summer)
A sleeping bag can be necessary if you are walking the Camino de Santiago in spring or autumn. However, if you are hiking in the summer, we would instead recommend packing a sleep sheet.
A sleep sheet is like a thin cotton sheet, made into the shape of a sleeping bag. In high summer, this is likely to be more comfortable than a thick sleeping bag. Plus, it is might lighter to carry.
Find out more about the best sleeping bags and sleep sheets for the Camino here.
5/ A full first aid kit
Do you know what I mean by a full first aid kit? The green or red bags with white crosses that can normally be found in school medical rooms and offices. There is no place for this on your Camino packing list.
Instead, we recommend packing a few key items. This might be pain killers, antihistamines and blister plasters. Plus any medication you need.
The general rule is that it should be type of thing you need there and then. There are many pharmacies on the Camino and so you don’t need to include every single medical item on your Camino packing list.
6/ A soap dish
Soap is something you should definitely include on your Camino packing list. I’ve waxed lyrical many a time about how useful soap is for pilgrims. Especially if you buy something you can use as shampoo, laundry detergent and to wash your body.
Soap – yes. Soap dish – no. An easier and lighter way to pack your soap is in a small sandwich bag.
7/ Full sized toiletries
If there’s one thing that is sure to weigh down your Camino backpack, it is full sized toiletries. I’m talking huge bottles of shampoo, or moisturizer. Instead, decant your favourite toiletries into small bottles of 100ml or less.
The one exception to this rule, is sunscreen. During summer months on the Camino, we recommend picking up a full size sunscreen. Preferably a high factor, such as 50 SPF.
However, it may be best to leave this off your Camino Packing list if you are travelling with hand luggage only, and instead pick it up in the airport before you fly.
8/ Multiple plugs
You will only need one USB plug for the Camino. Even if you need to take more than one cable, for headphones/ phone etc. One USB plug should suffice.
Ideally, pack a USB plug with a Spanish outlet. This way, you don’t need to carry an adapter too.
We always recommend adding a power bank to your Camino packing list. This way, you can charge items as you go.
9/ A head torch
I have walked many Caminos and long distance hikes and only ever required a torch once. This was when I had a very 53km walking day and had to get up and walk at 04:00.
Most walkers walking typical daily stages will not need a head torch. The exception is if you plan to walk extremely long days, longer than 40km, and therefore can’t walk in daylight. Or, if you are walking in a heatwave and need to get up before the sun. Or if you just prefer walking in
Generally, head torches are not required for most pilgrims. This is of course a personal choice. If you know that you plan to wake up before dark and walk, then pack one. My personal preference is to go without a head torch.
10/ A purse laden with coins
You are likely to need some cash when you walk the Camino – find out more here. But, we don’t recommend packing your full purse or wallet.
Instead, get a little cash in the form of notes and the cards that you need and put them into a smaller wallet. Something like this, is ideal.
Clear out any small change in the form of coins, especially your local currency too. These will only weigh you down.
11/ Paperback books
We once heard a story from an albergue owner, about some pilgrims who turned up with very heavy bags. When she asked them what they were carrying, they produced 5 paperback books!
Even if you are prolific reader, we don’t recommend packing paperback books on the Camino. Instead, consider digital books.
We prefer listening to books using Audible. This is ideal, as you can listen as you walk. Or listen in your bunk bed in the evening to unwind.
🛍️ If you sign up to Audible using our Amazon affiliate link, you can receive two free Audible books.
12/ Hiking boots AND trainers
Choosing footwear for the Camino is extremely important. Our personal view is that trainers, or walking shoes/ trail shoes, are far superior to hiking boots on the Camino.
Whichever you choose, we highly recommend against packing both hiking shoes AND trainers. We’ve seen this so many times. Hikers end up wearing the trainers and carrying their hiking boots tied to their backpack.
Choose either trainers or hiking shoes when you are writing your Camino packing list.
We’ve written in detail here about why trainers are better for the Camino and which ones to choose.
13/ Jeans / Denim
If you are walking the Camino, you might want something different to wear in the evening. Some people choose more hiking clothes, others (like us) choose a “civilian outfit”, so that we can eat out in restaurants and feel a bit more comfortable.
One item that we do not recommend putting on your Camino packing list, is jeans. I know they seem easy to wear, but jeans/ denim is so heavy. Also, if it gets wet, it will not dry quickly. Instead, pick lightweight materials.
Find inspiration for what to wear at night on the Camino here.
14/ White clothing
I made the mistake of packing white clothing on my first Camino, never again. Honestly, after a few days it just gets too grubby to wear. However many times you hand wash it.
Instead of white, pick something that hides dirt easier. I know this sounds gross, but you cannot keep your whites white on the Camino. Leave white clothing off your Camino packing list.
Find our guides to what to wear in the evening on the Camino here. And inspiration for ladies hiking outfits here.
15/ Multiple layers of clothing
Our general rule for hiking clothing on our Camino packing list, is two of everything (plus an extra pair of underwear for good luck.) This means you can wear one, and wash one.
However, this applies only to the basics – hiking tops, shorts etc.
When it comes to layers, such as a sweater, you really only need one. You might need a rain jacket, and a sweater. But you certainly do not need two sweaters!
16/ Lots of tech
In terms of tech, we recommend adding a mobile phone and head phones to your packing list. Everything else is not really necessary. For example, iPads, laptops, kindles. Keep things minimal!
17/ Compass
We’ve seen it. True story. The Camino is not a complex hiking route, you can follow the arrows the entire way. If for some reason you get a little lost, you can check your route on your phone. Or, just ask someone.
18/ Emergency GPS
As with the compass, an emergency GPS is also not necessary on your Camino packing list. The route is not remote or complex, you won’t be hiking in mountains on your own.
As long as you have a phone, with a SIM card that works in Spain, you’ll be fine.
20/ Oversized backpack
This is so important, that we probably should have put this first on the list. The item you should avoid putting in your Camino packing list is an oversized backpack.
The ideal size for a backpack is 30 litres or 40 litres. If you choose anything bigger, it is much more likely that you will over fill it with unnecessary items.
Find out more about the best bags for the Camino here.
21/ A full jar of coffee
As a total coffee addict, I completely understand the need for coffee! If you’re travelling on a budget, then it may make sense to take some of your own coffee with you. Although, do note that coffee in a cafe on the Camino does tend to be inexpensive.
However, if you plan to take coffee with you, we recommend eschewing the jar! Instead, put a little bit into a sandwich bag, so that it takes up less space and weighs less.
22/ A bath towel
Yes, we have seen walkers carrying full sized bath towels on the Camino. I’m talking about the fluffy full sized ones. There are two reasons why it is not sensible to pack a bath towel.
Firstly, bath towels are bulky and heavy. The opposite of what you want to carry in your bag.
Secondly, bath towels don’t dry quickly. If you’re using your towel twice a day, you need something that will dry fast so you can put it away and not get everything in your bag wet. Quick dry items also don’t smell!
Instead, pack a quick dry trek towel. For more information on the best trek towels to pack in the Camino – click here.
23/ A beach towel
I’ll hold my hands up and admit this one. When I walked my first Camino, I packed two towels (I know, I know, the shame.) In my defence, one was a trek towel and one was a lovely dock and bay lightweight beach towel.
As I was walking along the coast, I figured that I would need one towel for showering and one for the beach. This was utter madness. Clearly, one trek towel can be used for both things!
Leave the beach towel off your Camino packing list.
Wondering what you should pack for the Camino?
We’ve given you some ideas for what you shouldn’t pack, but what about things you should pack?
Find our ultimate guide to what to pack for the Camino here.
Would you like us to plan your walk for you?
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Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
Looking for Camino souvenirs?
We wanted to create Camino merchandise that we would actually wear ourselves. On the trails, out and about or at home. Keep it classy.
You can find all our items in our Etsy store – Camino Nostalgia.
Santiago coordinates t-shirt – multiple colours.
Camino Class of ’24 & ’25 sweater – multiple colours.
Ladies Camino Class of ’24 Tee – multiple colours
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[…] Find our detailed packing list for the Camino here. Also take note of our post on the 23 items you should not pack for the Camino. […]